Question of the Day

Did illegal voters swing any congressional races?

TODAY'S HEADLINERS

Thomas Kinkade speech 10 a.m. The National Press Club hosts a Morning Newsmaker news conference featuring a discussion on financial support for the National Christmas Tree and the state of the arts and the government. The speaker is Thomas Kinkade, artist. Location: National Press Club, 14th and F streets NW. Contact: 202/662-7500.

Health care conference all day The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) hold a conference, "Informing Consumers About Health Care Quality: New Directions for Research and Action."

Highlights 9:30 a.m. Mollyann Brodie, Kaiser Family Foundation, announces the finding from an AHRQ/ KFF poll, "How Do Americans Make Choices in Health Care? How Much Does Quality Matter?"

10:30 a.m. Carol Cronin, consultant; Dr. Sam Ho, Pacificare Health Systems; Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society; and Peter Lee, Pacific Business Group on Health, "Implications for the Research and Action Agenda: Panel and Response to the National Poll Results."

Health work force conference all day The Health Resources and Services Administration's Bureau of Health Professionals and the National Conference of State Legislatures hold a conference on "Health Work Force 2000: Building a Foundation for Health Care in the 21st Century."

Highlights 9 a.m. "A Looming Health Care Crisis in America? Work Force Shortages Limit Access to Care" and "What Are the Most Pressing Health Work Force Issues in the States," keynote addresses.

Signing ceremony 9 a.m. The Small Business Administration hosts a signing ceremony for an action plan to promote development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Russia with the agency serving in an advisory capacity on economic development in Russia, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The participants include Aida Alvarez, Small Business Administration administrator; Iliya Yuzhanov, minister of the Russian Federal for Antimonopoly Policy and Entrepreneurship Support; and Yuri Ushakov, Russian ambassador to the United States. Location: administrator's conference room, seventh floor, 409 Third St. SW. Contact: 202/205-6740.

"Ashley's Christmas" ceremony 10 a.m. The Baptist Home for Children and Families hosts a ceremony to accept "Ashley's Christmas," an assortment of presents collected by Brenda Frazier in memory of her daughter, Ashley, killed by a drunken driver. Location: 6301 Greentree Road, Bethesda. Contact: 301/365-4480, ext. 1236, or 301/365-9065.

American Muslim Council news conference 12:30 p.m. The American Muslim Council sponsors a news conference to discuss the Thursday release of Algerian Parliament member Anwar Haddam, who was imprisoned for four years under Immigration and Naturalization Service policies, and the plight of another man who remains incarcerated in a Florida prison. Rep. David E. Bonior, Michigan Democrat, and Mr. Haddam participate. Location: Suite 400, 1212 New York Ave. NW. Contact: 202/225-3130.

Arab American Institute briefing 2:40 p.m. The Arab American Institute holds a news briefing following a meeting with White House and State Department officials on the current Mideast situation. Location: State Department, 2201 C St. NW. Contact: 202/429-9210.